Number of errors during double leg stance with feet together on firm surface, as part of Balance Error Scoring System (BESS).

The first stance is standing with your feet together like this [administrator demonstrates two-legged stance]

You will be standing with your hands on your hips with your eyes closed. You should try to maintain stability in th position for entire 20 seconds. I will be counting thnumber of times you move out of this position. For example: if you take your hands off your hips, open your eyes, take a step, lift your toes or your heels. If you do move out of the testing stance, simply open your eyes, regain your balance, get back into the testing position as quickly as possible, and close your eyes again.

There will be a person positioned by you to help get into the testing stance and to help if you lose your balance.

Put your feet together, put your hands on your hips and when you close your eyes the testing time will begin. [Start timer when subject closes their eyes]

Numeric Values

Please take your shoes off, roll up your pant legs above ankle (if applicable), and remove any ankle taping (if applicable). This test will consist of 6 - twenty second tests with three different stances on two different surfaces. I will describe the stances as we go along. Standing on a firm surface with feet side by side (touching), hands on the hips and eyes closed.

Number of errors during single leg stance with non-dominant foot tested on firm surface, as part of Balance Error Scoring System (BESS).

If you were to kick a ball, which foot would you use? [This will be the dominant foot]

Now stand on your non-dominant foot.

[Before continuing the test assess the position of the dominant leg as such: the dominant leg should be held in approximately 30 degrees of hip flexion and 45 degrees of knee flexion]

Again, you should try to maintain stability for 20 seconds with your eyes closed. I will be counting the number of times you move out of this position.

Place your hands on your hips. When you close your eyes the testing time will begin. [Start timer when subject closes their eyes]

Numeric Values

Standing on a firm surface on the non-dominant foot (opposite leg of the preferred kicking leg), the hip is flexed to approximately 30 degrees and knee flexed to approximately 45 degrees. Hands are on the hips and eyes closed.

Number of errors during tandem stance with non-dominant foot in back on firm surface, as part of Balance Error Scoring System (BESS).

Now stand heel-to-toe with your non-dominant foot in back. Your weight should be evenly distributed across both feet.

Again, you should try to maintain stability for 20 seconds with your eyes closed. I will be counting the number of times you move out of this position.

Place your hands on your hips. When you close your eyes the testing time will begin. [Start timer when subject closes their eyes]

Numeric Values

Standing heel to toe on a firm surface with the non-dominate foot in the back. Heel of the dominant foot should be touching the toe of the non-dominant foot. Hands are on the hips and their eyes are closed.

Total number of errors while on firm surface, as part of Balance Error Scoring System (BESS).

N/A

Numeric Values

An error is credited to the subject when any of the following occur: 1) moving the hands off of the iliac crests; 2) opening the eyes; 3) step stumble or fall; 4) abduction or flexion of the hip beyond 30; 5) lifting the forefoot or heel off of the testing surface; 6) remaining out of the proper testing position for greater than 5 seconds. The maximum total number of errors for any single condition is 10.

Number of errors during double leg stance with feet together on foam surface, as part of Balance Error Scoring System (BESS).

The first stance is standing with your feet together like this [administrator demonstrates two-legged stance]

You will be standing with your hands on your hips with your eyes closed. You should try to maintain in stability in that position for entire 20 seconds. I will be counting the number of times you move out of this position. For example: if you take your hands off your hips, open your eyes, take a step, lift your toes or your heels. If you do move out of the testing stance, simply open your eyes, regain your balance, get back into the testing position as quickly as possible, and close your eyes again.

There will be a person positioned by you to help you get into the testing stance and to help if you lose your balance.

Put your feet together, put your hands on your hips and when you close your eyes the testing time will begin. [Start timer when subject closes their eyes]

Number of errors during single leg stance with non-dominant foot tested on foam surface, as part of Balance Error Scoring System (BESS).

If you were to kick a ball, which foot would you use? [This will be the dominant foot]

Now stand on your non-dominant foot.

[Before continuing the test assess the position of the dominant leg as such: the dominant leg should be held in approximately 30 degrees of hip flexion and 45 degrees of knee flexion]

Again, you should try to maintain stability for 20 seconds with your eyes closed. I will be counting the number of times you move out of this position.

Place your hands on your hips. When you close your eyes the testing time will begin. [Start timer when subject closes their eyes]

Numeric Values

Standing on a foam surface on the non-dominant foot (opposite leg of the preferred kicking leg), the hip is flexed to approximately 30 degrees and knee flexed to approximately 45 degrees. Hands are on the hips and eyes closed.

Number of errors during tandem stance with non-dominant foot in back on foam surface, as part of Balance Error Scoring System (BESS).

Now stand heel-to-toe with your non-dominant foot in back. Your weight should be evenly distributed across both feet.

Again, you should try to maintain stability for 20 seconds with your eyes closed. I will be counting the number of times you move out of this position.

Place your hands on your hips. When you close your eyes the testing time will begin. [Start timer when subject closes their eyes]

Numeric Values

Standing heel to toe on a foam surface with the non-dominate foot in the back. Heel of the dominant foot should be touching the toe of the non-dominant foot. Hands are on the hips and their eyes are closed.

Total number of errors while on foam surface, as part of Balance Error Scoring System (BESS).

N/A

Numeric Values

An error is credited to the subject when any of the following occur: 1) moving the hands off of the iliac crests; 2) opening the eyes; 3) step stumble or fall; 4) abduction or flexion of the hip beyond 30; 5) lifting the forefoot or heel off of the testing surface; 6) remaining out of the proper testing position for greater than 5 seconds. The maximum total number of errors for any single condition is 10.

Total number of errors for both firm and foam surface, as part of Balance Error Scoring System (BESS).

N/A

Numeric Values

An error is credited to the subject when any of the following occur: 1) moving the hands off of the iliac crests; 2) opening the eyes; 3) step stumble or fall; 4) abduction or flexion of the hip beyond 30; 5) lifting the forefoot or heel off of the testing surface; 6) remaining out of the proper testing position for greater than 5 seconds. The maximum total number of errors for any single condition is 10.